April 29, 2002

BUENOS AIRES, April 29 (DS) - Ahead of the World Cup kick off, S.S. Lazio Argentinean striker Claudio Lopez shared his views about the Argentinean national team with the newspaper La Razon. The player also criticized his country's government for the current crisis in Argentina.

(Q) Is that true that one of the reasons why the Argentinean national team want to win the World Cup is the economical situation in your country?
(A) Yes, we are first of all the citizens of our country and only then players. The national team must do their best to please our people.

(Q) Ahead of the friendly against Germany, you carried a flag with the inscription defending the education. Does this mean that the national players support the current transformations in Argentina?
(A) Yes, but we won't be able to do the same during the World Cup, because FIFA prohibits such things. However, we didn't show our support to the government by that act, we just approve what they are doing now. We need to be united and please our nation.

(Q) Thus, are the World Cups held for people?
(A) Of course they are. I always play for people and not for my own profit. Each player must support the colors of his country.

(Q) Do you think other teams fear Argentina?
(A) I don't know if we can use the word 'fear' here. I can only say they respect Argentina and this helps us. But on the other hand, we should respect our rivals as well to achieve our aims.

Daily Soccer